The cover shows Kaepernick running with the football in his right arm and looking right past the camera, a scene familiar for the Green Bay Packers who saw him run for 181 yards and two touchdowns Saturday while also passing for two touchdowns.

Kaepernick admired Sports Illustrated's covers while growing up in Turlock, some 1 ½ hours from the 49ers facility. "I didn't have them on my walls, but I used to look at them," Kaepernick said.

For those who believe in jinxes, close your eyes or click elsewhere on the Internet: the 49ers also were Sports Illustrated's cover boys heading into last season's NFC Championship Game, which they lost in overtime to the New York Giants.

Kaepernick will hold formal sessions with the media on Wednesday and Friday. Two weeks ago, Kaepernick went on Jim Rome's CBS Sports Radio show and picked up what Rome's followers call "jungle karma." Kaepernick, who said he wasn't aware of the term until his brother Kyle informed of it, sounded willing to make an encore appearance to gain more positive vibes for Sunday's game.